Since it was only a day before the first day of the upcoming year,
the increase in illumination in the city was achieved by numerous Christmas
lights. The white snow covered the landscape bringing chill to the air.
As usual, people were in a jolly mood anxiously waiting to welcome in
the new year. Three close friends, Tom, Jim and Mark gathered at Jim's
house to make all the necessary plans for the party they were to have.
Every single arrangement was taken care of, from snacks to alcohol.
The most important decision, however, still was not made. Whose house
would the party be at?

"My parents are having two more families over," Tom started
the discussion. "It is going to be a full house."

"After my last party, my folks won't allow me to have more than
five people over at a time," Jim added. "Sorry boys,"
he continued with an apologetic voice.

"For now, my parents are supposed to go to this formal party,
which is out of town," Mark jumped in. "But if they don't
go there, they will stay at home and invite our neighbours for a quiet
and relaxing night."

Tom said, "Well, Mark, it looks like it is between me and you.
We should both talk to our parents to be sure we have a place where
everyone can come. Then tomorrow, on the big day, we'll decide whose
house it will be."

"I'm sorry I can't help with this, boys," Jim said.

"Don't you worry about it. We two have it under control,"
Tom commented.

"See, if it is at your place then my girlfriend can simply walk
home because she lives so close," Mark said.

Tom answered, "True, but my place will be filled with people.
I'm sure my folks won't mind me having a party in the basement, but
you know how it is when parents are at home."

"You even have more beds available for a bunch of guys that will
be staying over," Mark insisted.

"If you can have your house empty for tomorrow night, I'm telling
you, it will be a blast." Tom added this fact that brought smiles
to their faces. After a few minutes, Tom and Mark took their jackets
and left for home.

Tom and Jim were best friends since childhood. Their characters were
quite similar in many regards. Tom was a bit taller, athletically built,
with brown hair and eyes. He had a good nature and was always willing
to help his friends. Even his glasses, which he wore sometimes, contributed
to his sophisticated look. Jim was the joker in the group and always
ready to make someone laugh. He was a regular height with brown hair
and eyes, too. Even though they were all teenagers, Jim successfully
managed to look older because he could grow a goatee.

Mark became friends with the first two boys only a few years back.
His height was somewhere in between Tom's and Jim's height and he had
black hair and eyes. Mark still did not drive so he always asked for
rides from his two friends. If Mark had what he wanted, not even considering
others, he was one happy teenager. The first two boys ignored this because
nothing big ever happened for them to be angry at Mark. Therefore, Mark
seemed to be slowly obtaining a status of a "best friend"
over "close friend".

In the morning, after washing himself and having a tasty breakfast,
Tom decided to phone Mark and finally settle everything down.

"Oh really, that's great, because I had no luck last night,"
Mark replied.

"What happened," said Tom.

"It looks like we'll have to be at your place tonight because
my parents are staying at home," Mark continued.

"Well, I guess it is my house then so you better start calling
people. It won't be the same, but what can I do about it. That's the
way it's got to be," said Tom.

After ending the conversation, Tom went downstairs to tell his mother
the news. Even though his parents were staying at home, he was still
looking forward to having fun as he had promised. He found his mother
in the kitchen putting the turkey in the hot oven and getting ready
to shape the dough on the table into a destined delicious cake .

"Guess what mom, the party is going to be here," said Tom.

"Oh, that's nice. What a great New Year's Eve this is going to
be," Tom's mother replied. "But how come everyone is coming
here when they know we're staying in."

"It was one of us three who had to make sure that his house is
empty for the party. But since Jim's not allowed at all and Mark's parents
are also staying in and they want a relaxing night, it's got to be me,"
explained Tom.

As soon as he finished the sentence his mother looked at him with a
questionable expression on her face.

"Are you sure Mark's parents are staying at home Tom?" She
asked.

"What do you mean mom," Tom answered confusingly.

"Well, I talked to Mark's mother a few days ago and she told me
she already had the tickets for their party," she continued.

"So, you're telling me that Mark is lying. But that can't be.
He wouldn't do something like that," Tom said, trying to convince
himself.

"I don't know Tom, but I'm sure that there is an explanation for
this," said Tom's mother.

Tom's jolly mood was lost almost instantly. This discovery triggered
Tom's brain to start developing the big picture of what was actually
happening with regarding to Mark. Even though Tom was suspicious, he
still believed that an explanation existed. He couldn't keep this inside
him for a long time so he phoned Jim for advice.

"Jim, we have to talk," Tom began with a serious tone.

"What's wrong," replied Jim.

"Well, the party tonight is at my house, but there is more to
this," Tom continued.

"I'm listening," Jim said.

Tom started the whole story, "I phoned Mark an hour ago and he
said his parents are staying in. So when I told my mom this she told
me that she talked to Mark's mom a few days back and found out that
Mark's parents are definitely going to that formal party."

"So, you're saying that Mark lied to you. He wouldn't do that,
would he?" Jim asked.

"I don't know Jim," Tom answered, "Maybe he would."

"Do you have any idea why he might do this?" Jim asked again.

"Well, I think I do. He definitely wouldn't have to do much cleaning.
There will be plenty of food since my mom is at home. He can also get
a comfy bed in my living room after the party. But the most important
fact is that Tara can safely get home," Tom explained.

"Wow, you thought about this a lot," said Jim.

"These are the points off the top of my head right now. But I'm
still hoping there is another story behind this," Tom said.

"Guess what. You'll probably find that out for yourself,"
Jim started. "Mark asked me if I could pick him up if the party
is at your place."

"Right," Tom acknowledged.

"Well, there is a change of plan. You are going to pick him up
now," explained Jim.

"Jim, you're a genius. Now I understand. If I walk into his house
and his parents are not there it will all be clear," said Tom.
"You just let everyone know where to come tonight."

When Tom put down the phone he stayed laying in his bed thinking about
this situation. He was strongly hoping that Mark didn't plan something
like this. Tom realized that Mark was becoming their best friend. If
all this was true, the friendship could change dramatically. Even though
Tom wished for another explanation, he also knew that Mark was capable
of creating something like this. Tom did realize that this simple and
silly action Mark perhaps committed could lead to an unfortunate outcome,
maybe even the termination of the friendship.

When most of the decorating was done and everything was in its place,
the time had come for Tom to go and pick up Mark. On the way to Mark's
house, Tom wanted to find out if Mark's parents were at home. As he
was pulling into the driveway he became more nervous. At first, Tom
didn't see any car in the driveway. But a possibility that it was in
the garage, however, did exist. Tom knocked on the door and, after Mark
unlocked it, he entered the house. Immediately, Tom noticed something
he really didn't want to. Mark's parents were not at home!